Blood Is Needed

With a shortage of O negative blood looming this holiday season, area blood banks want folks to consider giving the gift of blood.

Only 6 percent of the population has O negative blood, but anyone can receive it. Hospitals often keep a few units of O negative, which is often referred to as a universal donor, on hand for emergency trauma patients whose blood type is unknown.

Mike Frigon senior donor recruitment representative for United Blood Services in the Rocky Mountain Region, says that an increase in traumas and a reduced amount of donations over the holidays may be the reason for the current shortage of O negative blood in the area. He says people should consider giving on an ongoing basis to prevent these shortages.

"I just can’t stress enough that if you’re eligible to donate regardless of your blood type, but especially if you’re O-, please donate every single time you’re eligible to donate, please do not just donate only when you hear there’s an urgent appeal."

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Hospitals often keep several units of O negative, which is often referred to as a universal donor blood type, on hand for emergency trauma patients whose blood type is unknown. Mike Frigon of United Blood Services in the Rocky Mountain Region says that an increase in traumas and a reduced amount of donations could explain the current shortage of O negative blood in the area. He says people should consider giving on an ongoing basis to prevent these shortages. “I just can’t stress enough that...